Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Story Saturday
Well, praise the Lord, and thanks to anyone who prayed for me - my ankle feels a lot better, and I think my head cold is better too. My nose is not "running like a fountain" today. Every now and then I get a tickle in my throat, which is my biggest enemy. Back in the summer of 1998 I had to sing at two important weddings - my sister Mary Ellen's and our daughter Lisa's. Right before Mary Ellen's in June, I got a cold in my voice. I managed to sing, but not as well as I had hoped to. Then a month later, it seemed like the same thing was happening again the week before Lisa's wedding. My voice teacher said, "Start sucking on Hall's Defense Lozenges the minute you feel like you're getting the slightest tickle in your throat. Make sure they're the ones with zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C." I have been following her advice ever since and it usually works, but not every time. Hopefully this time it will.
There's another new baby, this time in the Stauffer family. Dick's brother Steve's son Joe and his wife Kim had a baby boy and named him Avery Joseph. He is their second child. They also have a two-year-old daughter Morgan. There's a cute picture of the two children below. They are following a pattern that is very predominant in the Stauffer family. Almost everyone who has more than one child has had a girl first and a boy second!
My story this week is not funny or scary. I chose this story because of its appropriateness for this Easter weekend.
When I was nineteen my dad was preaching a week of revival meetings, as he often did, and our family was along for the Sunday evening service to provide special music. During his message, which was probably about our eternal destiny, I felt overcome with the dread of hell. I remember sitting there thinking of all my shortcomings and failures, and feeling, "I must make SURE I don't go to hell when I die. I must stop doing this and this and this and make sure I do this and this and this.... Lord, what do have I to do to make SURE I'm ready for heaven?" My thinking process was stopped short when I felt a strong impression from the Lord, almost strong enough to hear. "Jeanie, you will never be good enough for heaven. There isn't anything you can do to be good enough. That's why I died on the cross, so you can have MY righteousness. That's what I gave you when you gave your heart to Me." The realization of that truth came flooding down over me like a waterfall, and it was all I could do to keep from weeping and shouting.
Over the years I have come to realize that that truth is like an onion with many layers. There are times when I feel as though I have only just begun to unpeel it. Truly it is "Amazing Grace."
There's another new baby, this time in the Stauffer family. Dick's brother Steve's son Joe and his wife Kim had a baby boy and named him Avery Joseph. He is their second child. They also have a two-year-old daughter Morgan. There's a cute picture of the two children below. They are following a pattern that is very predominant in the Stauffer family. Almost everyone who has more than one child has had a girl first and a boy second!
My story this week is not funny or scary. I chose this story because of its appropriateness for this Easter weekend.
YOU'LL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH
I grew up in a home and church where Jesus Christ was honored and accepting Christ as personal Savior was important. When I was in the fourth grade I made my decision to give my heart to Jesus. Four years later, as I understood more of what commitment meant, I renewed my commitment to Christ. However, through all that, I somehow missed the aspect of His free grace. I still felt that I had to keep earning my salvation.
When I was nineteen my dad was preaching a week of revival meetings, as he often did, and our family was along for the Sunday evening service to provide special music. During his message, which was probably about our eternal destiny, I felt overcome with the dread of hell. I remember sitting there thinking of all my shortcomings and failures, and feeling, "I must make SURE I don't go to hell when I die. I must stop doing this and this and this and make sure I do this and this and this.... Lord, what do have I to do to make SURE I'm ready for heaven?" My thinking process was stopped short when I felt a strong impression from the Lord, almost strong enough to hear. "Jeanie, you will never be good enough for heaven. There isn't anything you can do to be good enough. That's why I died on the cross, so you can have MY righteousness. That's what I gave you when you gave your heart to Me." The realization of that truth came flooding down over me like a waterfall, and it was all I could do to keep from weeping and shouting.
Over the years I have come to realize that that truth is like an onion with many layers. There are times when I feel as though I have only just begun to unpeel it. Truly it is "Amazing Grace."
Friday, April 06, 2007
"Good" Friday
Today is GOOD Friday. Yesterday I asked the kindergarten class why we call it Good Friday when such a terrible thing happened on that day. It blessed my heart that they knew that it's because Jesus died so our sins can be taken away. I have been teaching the entire school the song How Deep the Father's Love this spring and it has given me so many opportunities to explain what happened at the cross and why it happened. I wish all of you could hear and see the primary students sing this song. They KNOW what they're singing about and it just thrills my heart. I'm sure most of my readers are already familiar with the song, but because it's Good Friday today, I'm going to post the lyrics for you to meditate upon.
HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE
by Stuart Townend
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon the cross,
My sin upon His shoulders!
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection!
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
I'm doing a little of my own suffering today, unfortunately. First of all, after resisting EVERY germ that made its rounds at school and here at home this entire school year, I am now fighting a disgusting head cold. I'm drinking green tea like it's going out of style, trying to get rid of this before it transforms itself into some other kind of cold.
On top of that, I sprained my ankle last evening. Destiny's mommy called and asked to have her last evening, which was fine, especially since we have no school today, and she didn't need to get to bed early. When I picked her up around 9:30 PM, I was walking off the front stoop, not realizing there was a small step between the stoop and the ground. Just that quick my ankle bent over and I fell to the ground. I think it scared Destiny. She said, "I never saw you fall like that, Grandma." Thank God, it's just a slight sprain. I can still walk if I turn my foot a little.
On the way home Destiny said something that made me smile. She said, "My eyes just go shut, Grandma. It feels like there are little, tiny stones on top of my eyelids that just push them down." Have any of you ever thought of it like that when you've had trouble staying awake??
And then this morning Dick made me laugh. Destiny had said 'no' to me about something I told her to do. In a very stern and serious voice Dick said, "Don't say 'no' to Grandma." Then in a voice that I knew was meant to get a rise out of me, he said, "Grandma can say 'no' to you, and she can say 'no' to me, but we NEVER say 'no' to her." I just cracked up, and it still makes me laugh just writing it.
HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE
by Stuart Townend
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon the cross,
My sin upon His shoulders!
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection!
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
I'm doing a little of my own suffering today, unfortunately. First of all, after resisting EVERY germ that made its rounds at school and here at home this entire school year, I am now fighting a disgusting head cold. I'm drinking green tea like it's going out of style, trying to get rid of this before it transforms itself into some other kind of cold.
On top of that, I sprained my ankle last evening. Destiny's mommy called and asked to have her last evening, which was fine, especially since we have no school today, and she didn't need to get to bed early. When I picked her up around 9:30 PM, I was walking off the front stoop, not realizing there was a small step between the stoop and the ground. Just that quick my ankle bent over and I fell to the ground. I think it scared Destiny. She said, "I never saw you fall like that, Grandma." Thank God, it's just a slight sprain. I can still walk if I turn my foot a little.
On the way home Destiny said something that made me smile. She said, "My eyes just go shut, Grandma. It feels like there are little, tiny stones on top of my eyelids that just push them down." Have any of you ever thought of it like that when you've had trouble staying awake??
And then this morning Dick made me laugh. Destiny had said 'no' to me about something I told her to do. In a very stern and serious voice Dick said, "Don't say 'no' to Grandma." Then in a voice that I knew was meant to get a rise out of me, he said, "Grandma can say 'no' to you, and she can say 'no' to me, but we NEVER say 'no' to her." I just cracked up, and it still makes me laugh just writing it.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
A new baby in the Witmer family
Some of you may remember my post last October after my family's annual retreat at Camp Andrews. One of my pictures was of my nephew Scott Peifer and his wife Sheri who had just announced to us that they were finally expecting a baby after twelve years of marriage. This week that baby was born - Corbin James. He is almost a mirror image of his dad! I don't think I have ever seen a baby that looks so much like one of the parents. Congratulations, Scott and Sheri!!
Unfortunately Scott and Sheri live in California, so it will be a while before we get to see the little guy in person. But pictures will do until then.
Scott is my late sister Janet's son. I could not help but sit here and cry as I looked at these pictures. Janet would have just gone crazy over this little grandson. Surely she must somehow be able to see him now and know the joy he is bringing to her family, right?
Unfortunately Scott and Sheri live in California, so it will be a while before we get to see the little guy in person. But pictures will do until then.
Scott is my late sister Janet's son. I could not help but sit here and cry as I looked at these pictures. Janet would have just gone crazy over this little grandson. Surely she must somehow be able to see him now and know the joy he is bringing to her family, right?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
I cleaned my house for the furnace man
I am SO glad the furnace cleaning man came today. I stayed up until midnight last night cleaning my house just for him! I have no idea who he is and he probably has no idea who I am, but I certainly would not have wanted him to think that I am a slovenly housekeeper! In fact, I delayed my regular laundry sorting, which I normally do on Tuesday evenings during American Idol, until this evening, because I didn't want to have any laundry piles or unfolded wash lying around. I'm sure his wife NEVER has any of such things in her house. Aren't we women strange creatures?
I remember one year that I taught full time when our children were elementary students, I had a lady come to clean our house every Friday while I was at school. Every Thursday night I would feel like calling and telling her not to come, because I was too tired to get everything cleaned up for her to come and clean!! But then I'd come home on Friday after school, and I felt like a lady of leisure with my house all clean before the weekend even started. That's a little the way I felt when I came home today.
Now to that dirty laundry and an earlier bed time.
I remember one year that I taught full time when our children were elementary students, I had a lady come to clean our house every Friday while I was at school. Every Thursday night I would feel like calling and telling her not to come, because I was too tired to get everything cleaned up for her to come and clean!! But then I'd come home on Friday after school, and I felt like a lady of leisure with my house all clean before the weekend even started. That's a little the way I felt when I came home today.
Now to that dirty laundry and an earlier bed time.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Thinking Blogger Awards
Last evening I was given the "Thinking Blogger Award" by my blogging friend Tracey. Thank you, Tracey for the very kind things you said about me. I have just loved getting to know you, and I feel such a connection with you, which is amazing indeed, having never even met you in person.
This Thinking Blogger Award is a game of tag with very specific rules. I honestly don't know how to do some of the required linking, etc. and I don't have time until school's over in June to figure more of that stuff out. But I do want to share some of the bloggers who make me think.
First and foremost would have to be my son Anthony. I'm sure he was thinking deeply before he was even born! He doesn't post on his blog very often, but when he does, it's guaranteed to be to be long and deep. He keeps me on the edge of my "learning" toes.
My sister Rose never ceases to amaze me with all that she accomplishes as the mother of six children, homeschooling, singing, running, caring for her beautiful home, keeping up with all her children's activities. Just going to her blog to see the pictures of her lovely family would be worth your time.
I "cross over" between blogspot and xanga. So there are a number of xanga bloggers that I regularly keep in touch with. One of those is Mary Ann. I was reading her posts last spring and kept seeing pictures of people I remembered from my high school days at Lancaster Mennonite School. I finally had the nerve to leave her a comment to ask about those pictures. Indeed she was the younger sister of a guy I knew in high school. We found an instant connection as we started emailing back and forth and we even met when she and her husband came to Lancaster one day last summer. Mary Ann keeps up with an amazingly crazy household of young adult children and 2 profoundly handicapped women for whom she cares. She is the best and funniest writer I know. One time she has me laughing hysterically and the next time she writes a poem that says exactly what I'm feeling in my heart.
Another great xanga blog is Doris. She takes the best pictures I have ever seen. Her daily posts are either about her activities with her many grandchildren or with the ministry to truck drivers that she and her husband are deeply involved in. When she has no news, she posts a gorgeous picture accompanied by a thought provoking verse. Doris and I have known each other for many, many years since her husband's sister is married to Dick's brother.
Now I'm going to break all the rules of this game and stop with those four. I would love to say all the things I love about the blogs of Kathy, Cheryl, and Dianne, but they have already been given their awards by other people. Those three and Tracey are getting to be my daily buddies, and I just know if we ever all got together we would NEVER have enough time to get done talking!! Won't heaven be so much fun? No time restraints, getting to meet everybody in person...
I must get busy. The furnace cleaning man is coming tomorrow and I have to whip this place into shape.
This Thinking Blogger Award is a game of tag with very specific rules. I honestly don't know how to do some of the required linking, etc. and I don't have time until school's over in June to figure more of that stuff out. But I do want to share some of the bloggers who make me think.
First and foremost would have to be my son Anthony. I'm sure he was thinking deeply before he was even born! He doesn't post on his blog very often, but when he does, it's guaranteed to be to be long and deep. He keeps me on the edge of my "learning" toes.
My sister Rose never ceases to amaze me with all that she accomplishes as the mother of six children, homeschooling, singing, running, caring for her beautiful home, keeping up with all her children's activities. Just going to her blog to see the pictures of her lovely family would be worth your time.
I "cross over" between blogspot and xanga. So there are a number of xanga bloggers that I regularly keep in touch with. One of those is Mary Ann. I was reading her posts last spring and kept seeing pictures of people I remembered from my high school days at Lancaster Mennonite School. I finally had the nerve to leave her a comment to ask about those pictures. Indeed she was the younger sister of a guy I knew in high school. We found an instant connection as we started emailing back and forth and we even met when she and her husband came to Lancaster one day last summer. Mary Ann keeps up with an amazingly crazy household of young adult children and 2 profoundly handicapped women for whom she cares. She is the best and funniest writer I know. One time she has me laughing hysterically and the next time she writes a poem that says exactly what I'm feeling in my heart.
Another great xanga blog is Doris. She takes the best pictures I have ever seen. Her daily posts are either about her activities with her many grandchildren or with the ministry to truck drivers that she and her husband are deeply involved in. When she has no news, she posts a gorgeous picture accompanied by a thought provoking verse. Doris and I have known each other for many, many years since her husband's sister is married to Dick's brother.
Now I'm going to break all the rules of this game and stop with those four. I would love to say all the things I love about the blogs of Kathy, Cheryl, and Dianne, but they have already been given their awards by other people. Those three and Tracey are getting to be my daily buddies, and I just know if we ever all got together we would NEVER have enough time to get done talking!! Won't heaven be so much fun? No time restraints, getting to meet everybody in person...
I must get busy. The furnace cleaning man is coming tomorrow and I have to whip this place into shape.
Monday, April 02, 2007
I got tagged, but I'm too sleepy to play!
There's a game of tag going on in Bloggerland. I got tagged this evening with the Thinking Blogger Award by my friend Tracey. I feel honored, but I'm too sleepy to "play the game" tonight and figure out how to do all the linking to other people's blogs, etc. Maybe I'll figure it out after school tomorrow! Again, thanks, Tracey! I feel honored.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
A very special Sunday
This morning the MCDS Worship Team had the first stop on our Sunday morning "tour". We were at Hernley Mennonite Church, which is the one right next door to our school. Sarah and Josh Witmer, my brother's grandchildren, attend there. In fact, it is the church in which I grew up. The team did a really wonderful job, especially considering that it was their first time. The presence of the Lord was real and people were touched by it. I'm disappointed that I forgot to take my camera along, but I'll try to remember it some other Sunday. We have four more Sunday morning engagements between now and May 20th.
This evening Dick and I, along with about five other couples, were the invited guests of Jim and Linda Kreider, owners of the company where Dick works, at a Hershey Bears ice hockey game. We had a private suite at the lovely Giant center at Hershey. It was to honor employees who have reached important milestones of employment this quarter. For Dick it is five years, for others it may have been ten or fifteen. Wow, what preferential treatment we had! Special parking, special entrance, special elevator, free food and beverages served to us right in our suite, a special way out of that parking lot after the game, in order to avoid the crowded traffic!! I could get used to that! Being treated to an ice hockey game was really special for Dick. He grew up playing ice hockey and watching Hershey Bears games.
It was almost 8:00PM and still daylight when we left. We then went to Lancaster to pick up Destiny, who had spent most of the weekend with Frank and Abby.
And now I need sleep. Only four more days till Easter vacation. Woohoo!!
This evening Dick and I, along with about five other couples, were the invited guests of Jim and Linda Kreider, owners of the company where Dick works, at a Hershey Bears ice hockey game. We had a private suite at the lovely Giant center at Hershey. It was to honor employees who have reached important milestones of employment this quarter. For Dick it is five years, for others it may have been ten or fifteen. Wow, what preferential treatment we had! Special parking, special entrance, special elevator, free food and beverages served to us right in our suite, a special way out of that parking lot after the game, in order to avoid the crowded traffic!! I could get used to that! Being treated to an ice hockey game was really special for Dick. He grew up playing ice hockey and watching Hershey Bears games.
It was almost 8:00PM and still daylight when we left. We then went to Lancaster to pick up Destiny, who had spent most of the weekend with Frank and Abby.
And now I need sleep. Only four more days till Easter vacation. Woohoo!!
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